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I live 5 miles from the beach - about 15 minute drive. No complaints, but I do realize that there are sneaker swells that I miss and would catch if I lived closer because 15 minutes each way means a half hour to check it, so you do wind up relying on buoy and cams a bit. I wouldn't mind being closer someday, where I could pour a cup of jo and walk out the door to check it.

One thing inlanders should consider is the winter rental. When I lived in Trenton (job there) in the late 90's I split a winter rental in Belmar for $250 bucks a month (my rent in Trenton was only $450) from sept to May. I spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights there, plus any night I thought there might be waves the next morning to surf and then drive to work.

Wow, not bummed about my drive at all. Granted it's not a walk out front, but relocating just isn't an option currently. Stoked to see guys making a commitment to get out and get some waves. I don't know if anyone has ever run into this either, but generally after someone finds out I've made the trek over, they let a few slip by. Obviously this occurs more in the winter, but non the less, thanks to the local guys for letting an inlander grab a few.

One thing inlanders should consider is the winter rental. When I lived in Trenton (job there) in the late 90's I split a winter rental in Belmar for $250 bucks a month (my rent in Trenton was only $450) from sept to May. I spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights there, plus any night I thought there might be waves the next morning to surf and then drive to work.

Solid advice. Having a place to even just thaw out a little to get back out is worth it.

lived in central maryland most of my life (except a brief stint in southern maryland)... so it's always been at least 2.5 hours to get to a breaking wave. The "nice" thing about where I am, is that I can get to any of the DE, MD, or NJ spots in about 3 hours which gives a lot of options depending on the swell. Definitely a lot of friday and saturday nights where I'm in bed by 8pm to get up at 3am for a day trip.

I daydream all the time about living closer... but work, family, mortgage, blah blah...

lived in central maryland most of my life (except a brief stint in southern maryland)... so it's always been at least 2.5 hours to get to a breaking wave. The "nice" thing about where I am, is that I can get to any of the DE, MD, or NJ spots in about 3 hours which gives a lot of options depending on the swell. Definitely a lot of friday and saturday nights where I'm in bed by 8pm to get up at 3am for a day trip.

I daydream all the time about living closer... but work, family, mortgage, blah blah...

Haha, I'd say that's pretty "nice". I'm somewhat in the same situation, all of NJ is accessible within 2 hours. If I'm really feeling a road trip, DE and MD can be done within 3ish. Being in bed at 8pm to be up at 3am is a killer, but worth it.

I love where I live in Downtown ILM. (Figuring no traffic or dic.king around) 10 min to Wrightsville, 10 to CB, 15 to KB, 30 to SC and TI, 45 to OKI, 50 to OIB. -OR- 10 to the Marina then a little boat ride. Of course it takes a little longer if I take the 4x4 on the North end of CB or down to Ft. Fisher. Plus I have access to houses/parking in SC, WB, CB, KB, OKI and OIB. Can't beat it, just need to win the lottery so I can retire early, then I will be however long it takes my Gulfstream to get me where I want to go! lol